Financial Controller

Hoerr Schaudt is seeking a Controller to lead the firm’s financial operations. This role will serve as a collaborative partner to executive leadership, studio leaders, and project managers. The position combines accountability for sound accounting and financial controls with a strong emphasis on project profitability, financial analysis, and forward-looking business planning. The Controller will direct, train, and coach members of the finance team and evaluate the finance team’s structure and develop to ensure alignment with strategies and growth of the firm. 

This role reports to the CFO. 

Financial Leadership and Strategic Planning

·      Serve as a trusted financial advisor to studio leaders and project managers, translating financial results into actionable recommendations and identifying risks and opportunities.

·      Lead departmental expense planning, financial performance reviews, cash flow analysis, and ongoing forecasts.

·      Develop clear financial reporting and performance measures to support profitability, resource allocation, and long-term business decisions.

·      Coordinate with external accounting, tax, banking, and other financial partners as appropriate.

Project Financial Management and Collaboration

·      Partner directly with project managers during monthly project health reviews, using Deltek Vantagepoint dashboards to assess realization, unbilled labor, estimates at completion, contract status and values, project profitability, billing, and accounts receivable; challenge assumptions, identify risks, and agree on follow-up actions.

·      Oversee project accounting practices, including project setup, budgets, work in progress, revenue recognition, invoicing, and collections.

·      Analyze utilization, labor costs, project margins, write-offs, and other measures of financial performance across the firm’s project portfolio.

·      Collaborate with project managers and department leaders to improve financial accountability, contract management, and timely resolution of project issues.

Financial Forecasing and Analytics

·      Build and implement a more comprehensive revenue forecasting process using project plans, backlog, anticipated work, and other available operating data.

·      Partner with studio leaders and project managers to develop labor projections, evaluate staffing capacity, and align resources with expected project demand.

·      Advance the rollout and consistent use of the Mosaic planning tools, including establishing reliable methods to extract, analyze, and communicate revenue and labor forecasts.

·      Develop repeatable reporting and analytics for utilization, realization, staffing efficiency, and firmwide profitability; refine forecasting methodologies over time.

Accounting Operations, Controls and Compliance

·      Provide overall leadership and accountability for the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll accounting, and monthly and annual close.

·      Oversee accurate financial statements, reconciliations, internal controls, accounting policies, and applicable reporting and tax compliance.

·      Provide accounting support for other related entities. Includes 1555 Fulton Partners, DHLA Inc, HSLA Partners and other related party entities. 

·      Provide financial oversight of payroll and retirement plan contributions, and related service-provider relationships in coordination with HR.

·      Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, strengthen data integrity, and automate financial processes across systems.

Team Leadership and Organizational Development

·      Lead, coach, and develop the finance and accounting team, establishing clear responsibilities, service standards, and accountability.

·      Delegate routine accounting activities appropriately while maintaining strong oversight, enabling greater focus on planning, project performance, and cross functional collaboration.

Qualifications

·      Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.

·      Approximately 8–10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership of people and financial operations.

·      Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and project-based accounting.

·      Experience in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, design, or another professional services business strongly preferred.

·      Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills; experience with Deltek Vantagepoint or comparable project accounting and planning platforms preferred.

·      Familiarity with AI tools is preferred, along with a willingness to learn and incorporate them into workflows effectively and responsibly, in accordance with firm guidelines for confidentiality, accuracy and professional judgement

What We Offer:  

o  Collaborative and supportive work environment 

o  Workday: In office Monday through Friday 8:30-5:30 with an hour for lunch/breaks.

o  Benefits: Health benefits, paid time off, 401(k), to/from office commute paid, or parking provided, cell phone stipend and opportunities for career growth within a dynamic and expanding company.

o  Salary: Range is $100,000-150,000 plus company bonus opportunity

o   The offer will be based on experience, skills and background in similar positions. 

Workplace Safety & Policies

o  Safety Standards: Adherence to standard indoor safety and building emergency procedures.

o  Dress Code: Office dress code requirements - business casual